Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 155

<155>

God exists.

If so, what is God?

A question that has been debated among theologians for thousands of years, yet no one has provided a definitive answer.

Perhaps that’s understandable. A god defined by a mere theologian wouldn’t truly be a god.

However, it’s not that theologians are completely ignorant about God. They’ve gleaned quite a few insights while worshipping God for so long.

For example:

The power of God comes from faith.

That’s why religious orders pour their hearts and souls into expanding their influence.

The more believers there are, the stronger God’s power becomes, and the more miracles God can perform. Naturally, this leads to an increase in the number of believers.

In the case of the Mother Earth Goddess’s order, which is spread worldwide, such an ideal virtuous cycle is in motion.

On the other hand, what about smaller religious orders?

It’s the opposite.

The number of believers dwindles. God’s power weakens. It becomes difficult to even receive simple revelations. The number of believers continues to decrease.

It’s difficult to escape this vicious cycle.

Eventually, if they are expelled from the Pantheon [a council or collective of recognized deities], they are deprived of the numerous benefits they once enjoyed.

Like the benefit of being able to freely proselytize [convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another] in any country.

The Pantheon.

If you look closely, it’s no different from the wild. That’s why the priests of small religious orders are running around today.

Providing free treatment in slums.

Taking care of vagrants.

Subjugating monsters.

I’m not being sarcastic at all.

There are many priests who genuinely perform these actions from the bottom of their hearts.

Getting to the point.

The God of Destiny and Time, Danarr.

The guardian deity who has existed on this land since ancient times. I must restore this lost guardian deity to the people of the kingdom.

The Etrim of the Arya Kingdom.

The Aurelius of the Hamel Empire.

I also need to nurture the divine beast Harrion, who can keep those out-of-規格 [out-of-standard or overpowered] beings in check.

‘As quickly as possible.’

Faith can’t arise from blind belief. It must naturally permeate people’s hearts.

Fortunately, there’s no need to force people to abandon their existing beliefs.

Long ago, after the religious wars that stained the entire continent with blood, the religious orders that created the Pantheon agreed to that.

Countries that were monotheistic [believing in only one god]?

They were all destroyed during the religious wars.

How can I engrave the God of Destiny and Time, Danarr, in the memories of the people of the kingdom? That was the question I’ve been pondering whenever I have time lately.

Then I came up with the idea of disguising a Titan as an apostle of Danarr and having it subjugate monsters and magical beasts.

Fortunately, the Red Moon will rise soon.

That means it’s the time when the monsters and magical beasts of the Belkas Mountains will run wild.

I thought it would be a good opportunity to clean up the Twin Forest, a troublesome magic zone in the west.

“Like this?”

গিল루드 [Gilrud], who was holding a colored pencil in his thick hand and moving busily on the note, showed me the completed picture.

Eyes that feel strong yet warm.

Armor that combines gold and white.

Four pairs of large wings.

The moment I saw it, I was reminded of an apostle of God.

Michael.

Suddenly that name came to mind.

“길루드 [Gilrud]. I want to call this guy’s name Michael.”

“크하하 [Kahaha], I guess my painting was so good that the name came to mind as soon as you saw it.”

Project Michael has begun.

***

Evan, who returned to the Department Head’s office of the Magic Engineering Department from the secret laboratory, asked Fran.

“How long will it take for Stella to be used as an engine for the Titan?”

“Well… I think it will take at least 10 years? I’ve only just reached the efficiency of a mid-level magic stone. It’s getting difficult to do research alone.”

Evan briefly recalled his memories.

In the ‘future’, the Tower Master announced at the Horizon [a prestigious magical research conference] in June of next year that he had restored Stella, which had been lost in action due to Fran’s sudden death.

As a result, he became a Horizon winner for the second consecutive time and received enormous investments from countries around the world.

‘Now it’s Royal Calendar 502…’

The Tower Master created an engine that could be applied to the Titan using Stella in Royal Calendar 510.

8 years later.

Even with world-class investment, it took that much time. It was no wonder that Fran mentioned 10 years.

Evan nodded and opened his mouth.

“Next year, let’s announce Stella at the Horizon to be held in the Aimen Empire.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I can protect you if you announce it then.”

“Well, thank you.”

Even though she said that, Fran felt strange.

She had been called here and there to take care of Evan’s affairs, but before she knew it, he was saying that he would protect her.

She chuckled.

If she were 50 years younger, her heart might have fluttered.

“If you announce Stella, you will be able to become a Horizon winner for the second consecutive time. Investment and manpower from all over the world will gather. Then, you will build Fran’s Magic Tower. I will prepare the site near the capital in advance.”

Evan’s trick to somehow keep her from leaving the Lionel Kingdom was palpable.

Still, Fran just glared at him without saying anything. How could she say no when he was dangling the bait of the Magic Tower Master, which she had dreamed of?

“Ah! But as we discussed with 길루드 [Gilrud] earlier, I would like you to put Stella aside for a while and focus on improving Michael’s engine until the Red Moon rises.”

Every year, around the time the Red Moon rises, she, a half-elf, leaves her seat.

This is because the elf blood that suppresses aging weakens. During that period, she does not even show her face to her disciple Alice.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make it usable before I go.”

“Are you going to the 7th branch again?”

“Well… I’ll have to see when the time comes.”

“I understand. Then, please take good care of Jaryan, whom I brought.”

“Ah, how long do I have to keep that guy?”

“Isabel will present the magic superconductor she created in about six months. I plan to summon her to the capital right after that.”

After Evan’s doppelganger, Franken, left all the data about Lac, the basis of the magic superconductor, at the Horizon presentation and blew himself up, world powers accelerated their research into magic superconductors.

That was already four years ago.

『Aimen Empire Magic Superconductor Research Team breaks the 20% magic loss rate barrier for the first time in the world, surpassing Lac9, which Franken showcased!』

『We did it too! The Rabia Empire announces that it has surpassed the 20% magic loss rate, just one day apart.』

『The Master of the Yellow Tower had already broken the 20% barrier long ago. He asserts that it just wasn’t worth announcing.』

The magic loss rate of the magic superconductor that Franken presented at the Horizon event was surpassed in just one year.

However, Evan wasn’t worried at all.

He knew that the higher the magic loss rate, the more the magic superconductor tended to soften.

In fact, after realizing this, the world’s leading magic superconductor researchers stopped publishing articles about magic loss rates.

But!

Isabel had created a magic superconductor that maintained a 20% magic loss rate while being 90% as strong as iron.

“A presentation in six months… I wonder if she can reach the same level as iron,” Fran muttered quietly.

“She will. I plan to dedicate myself to it as well,” Evan replied with a determined expression.

It was the only way to fill the kingdom’s leaking coffers.

***

I came out of the Magic Engineering Department and immediately got into a carriage. Listening to the clattering of hooves, I watched people outside the window.

Most of them had bright expressions.

Perhaps because it was spring, I saw couples holding hands and enjoying dates.

Sigh—they should be studying.

“Everyone seems to have brighter expressions than when I was attending. There seems to be relatively less discrimination against commoners as well,” Adol, who was guarding me today, said. I took my eyes off the window and looked straight ahead. He had a nostalgic expression on his face.

“There won’t be none at all.”

“I know.”

“What was it like when Adol was a student?”

“Ah, when I was attending? Back then…”

Adol excitedly recounted his and Vernon’s heroic tales from their days as students in the Knight Department.

The content wasn’t particularly interesting, but it was enough to keep the journey to see Schuetz from being boring.

Originally, Schuetz was supposed to come to the palace, but since his place was on the way, I had notified him that I would visit him.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage stopped at the hospital.

Schuetz greeted me from the entrance.

“I am overwhelmed that you would visit me in person, Your Majesty.”

“I hope it wasn’t more difficult for you because I visited the hospital.”

“Haha, not at all. It’s the same as always.”

Contrary to his words, the path was polished without a speck of dust, and the staff’s expressions were stiff. I felt a little sorry.

I thought it would be easier for both of us if I just told him to come to the palace next time.

I arrived at Schuetz’s office, took off my shirt, and lay on the bed to receive his treatment. Every time he pressed a certain area, I felt pain as if he were carving into my flesh with a knife.

It was a sequela [a condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury] from using black magic during the Ironforge defense battle in the Northwest.

It wasn’t enough to make me groan out loud.

Pain becomes bearable once you get used to it… Actually, I visit Schuetz with the same symptoms often enough that I’m too embarrassed to groan.

It’s less embarrassing if I try not to act like it hurts too much.

‘Ugh…’

Knowing that, I felt like his touch, pressing on my blood vessels, was getting rougher.

“Phew, it’s over.”

“Thanks for your hard work, Schuetz.”

I smiled as if it didn’t hurt at all and got up from the bed.

“It’s amazing. Usually, the blood vessels of those whose bodies are damaged due to magic exhaustion weaken after treatment, but Your Majesty’s seem to become stronger.”

Schuetz pointed out what I had vaguely felt.

I don’t know why either.

“Isn’t it because of my unique constitution?”

I think it’s the specialness of the Lionel royal family. Perhaps the founding king left this wonderful body as a legacy?

I thanked my ancestor once again.

“If I have the opportunity, I would like to check the other members of the royal family as well.”

“To do that, we have to catch Barisada first, right?”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Schuetz looked genuinely disappointed.

“Ah, haven’t you heard the news? There will be an announcement soon from the Hall of Gods acknowledging the safety of ‘Angel’s Hand.’”

I told him the latest news that came in this morning.

“Thank you for the good news.”

The reaction was more subdued than I expected.

Well, orders were already pouring in from all over the world, and Schuetz’s name had risen to a point where it was difficult to rise any higher as a healer.

“Research what you want for the time being. For example… infertility. Support will be difficult for the time being, but if the royal finances improve, I will give you generous support.”

Schuetz’s expression twitched.

It had already been four years since I brought him to the capital. Despite his good relationship with his wife, they had no children.

It seems to be a problem with his weak wife… I didn’t ask for details because it was awkward.

“It’s okay… No, thank you, Your Majesty.”

It’s nothing.

He’s done so much, it’s time for him to do some research for himself.

“I look forward to good news. Then, I’ll be on my way.”

I smiled and got up from my seat.

“I’ll escort you.”

Schuetz hurriedly got up and opened the door.

I just left him alone because no one would listen even if I told him that he didn’t have to see me off.

That’s how I arrived at the entrance of the hospital.